Softball

A guide to the lifelong sport of softball

Bat

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Batting Helmet

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Balls

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Cleats

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Uniform

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Batting Gloves

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Catching Equipment

By Katy Meckley

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Glove

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Helmet

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Chest Guard

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Shin Guard

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Knee Savers

Glove

A Basic Guide to the Life Long Sport of Softball! Name 1001 N Softball City AA 00011

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Katy Meckley 1801 SW Jewell 157 Topeka KS 66621

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Softball

Internet Sites www.softball.com www.asasoftball.com www.asasoftball.com Books Softball Skills and Drills By Judi Garman The Softball Pitching Edge By Cheri Kempf Softball Fundamentals By Rick Noren

NOT AS “SOFT” AS YOU THINK!

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HOW TO CUSTOMIZE Balla legally pitched ball that does not enter the strike zone (four balls equals a walk) THIS BROCHURE Grounder- A ball that is hit on the ground Force out- when the runner has to advance to the next base to make room for the following base • runner. • “PICTURE” FlyABOUT ball- ball hitTHE up in the air to the infield OnFONTS deck- the next batter • Pop up- ball hit up in the air to the infield Strike- term used when a ball is swung at and missed or is called when the ball enters the strike • zone and is not swung at all. Strike zone- the ball passes the batter over the • plate between their chest and knees

• Infielders: Pitcher: pitch the ball so that the batter must attempt to hit it. Catcher: Catch or block all balls the batter misses. First base: Catch every ball thrown to first base and contact the base. Second base: Cover second base if not fielding the ball yourself. Third base: Cover third base, even if the play is not to that base. Shortstop: Cover second and third bases when these players are drawn in the play. Outfielders: Left field: Back up all batted and thrown balls to the left side of the • infield. Center field: Back up all thrown and batted balls through the center of the infield. • Right field: Back up batted balls to the right of the infield. •

WORKING WITH BREAKS

OTHER BROCHURE TIPS

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There are 9 players on a softball team. The playing field is divided into the infield and outfield The lines between the bases are 60’ apart and when joined they form a “diamond”, inside the baseline is known as the infield Outside the baseline but inside the playing field is called the outfield. Any ball going outside the 1st or 3rd base line is a foul ball ( runners can not advance and the batter gets another try unless the ball was caught in the air, which translates to an out) An official game is 7 innings (a inning is when • • both teams have had their turn to bat) • •

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The pitcher must have both feet on the pitcher’s rubber and can only take one step forward while• pitching. • The ball must be thrown underhand. Both hands must be on the ball at the start of the pitch.

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Batters must follow the same order throughout the whole game The batter is out if and when: a) three strikes have been called b) a fly ball is caught c) the batter does not stand in the batter’s box

Runners must touch each base in order Runners may overrun 1st base only, all other bases the runner may be tagged and called out if they are off the base. Runners can not lead off a base, they must be on base until the ball as left the pitcher’s hand After a fly ball has been caught the base runner must tag the occupied base before advancing to the next base One base runner can not pass another base runner that is ahead of them. Stealing a base is not permitted A runner is out if: Company Name a. they are tagged with the ball Street Address before reaching a base Address 2 b. the ball gets to 1st base before the City, ST ZIP Code runner c. they run more than 3 feet out of the Phone (555)555-0125 base line to avoid being tagged Fax (555)555-0145 Web site address